This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

In theory, it should be very easy to choose which airline credit card to sign up for — the one corresponding to the airline you fly with the most. However, the process isn’t always that straightforward, as most airlines offer multiple cobranded card options. One of those airlines is Delta.

The go-to card for most casual Delta flyers is the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. The card has a $95 annual fee that’s waived the first year (see rates & fees) and offers card holders several elite-like perks, including a first bag checked free on Delta flights and priority boarding. Even better, new card holders can currently get an elevated welcome bonus that we value at over $700. Let’s take a closer look at everything this card has to offer and find out whether it’s a good pick for you.

Who Is This Card For?

Perks like free checked bags and priority boarding make the Gold Delta Amex ideal for those whose airline of choice is Delta, but don’t fly enough to get these benefits through elite status. If you do fly enough to meet some elite status qualifications, but are short Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), the card could give you the boost you need by waiving the MQD requirement after meeting a spending threshold on the card.

Photo by Darren Murph/The Points Guy.

With an elevated welcome bonus and a waived annual fee in year one, this card is also great for those looking to diversify their loyalty portfolio. Despite the lack of transparency when it comes to award travel costs, there’s still some good value in Delta SkyMiles — especially for those with non-flexible travel schedules. Plus, unlike most loyalty program currencies, Delta SkyMiles never expire so you won’t need to worry about keeping your account active.

Welcome Bonus

Now through Apr. 3, 2019, the Gold Delta Amex is offering new card holders an elevated welcome bonus of 60,000 SkyMiles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus a $50 statement credit after making a Delta purchase in the first 3 months.

Based on TPG’s valuations, 60,000 SkyMiles are worth $720. Even if you don’t have any upcoming travel to book, you can trigger the $50 statement credit by purchasing a gift card from Delta’s desktop site (the mobile site will not trigger the statement credit).

Earning

With the Gold Delta Amex, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. There’s no cap on how many miles you can earn in a year.

Redeeming

The most obvious use of SkyMiles is redeeming them for flights. Delta utilizes a dynamic award pricing system in which redemption rates fluctuate based on the current revenue prices of tickets. As a result, points maintain a fairly constant value and there are no blackout dates, which means as long as there’s a seat for sale on a flight, you can book it using miles.

Perks

The Gold Delta Amex doesn’t offer as extensive of a list of perks as some other cards on the market, but the perks it does have can save Delta flyers some serious cash.

First Checked Bag Free — Get a first checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. Ordinarily, a first checked bag costs $30 each way.

Priority Boarding — Get Zone 1 priority boarding for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation.

MQD Waiver — If you’re considering going for Silver, Gold or Platinum status, you can get the MQD requirement waived by spending $25,000 during the calendar year. The waiver requirement for Diamond status is $250,000.

20% Inflight Savings — Receive 20% back in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on Delta inflight purchases (not including Wi-Fi).

Unlike with some cobranded airline cards, benefits like the checked baggage allowance and priority boarding are tied to your Delta SkyMiles account, so you don’t need to book your flights with the card to utilize them.

Photo by Darren Murph/The Points Guy.

In addition to the Delta-specific benefits, the card carries travel protections like secondary collision damage waiver, lost baggage reimbursement and travel accident insurance, as well as purchase protection benefits like extended warranty and return protection. The card also doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees), so you can safely make purchases overseas without accumulating extra charges.

Which Cards Compete With the Gold Delta Amex?

As previously mentioned, American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Delta, so the card has some competition beyond just the airline’s other cobranded cards.

A much closer comparison is the non-Delta-branded American Express Gold Card. At $250 a year (see rates & fees), the card too has a higher annual fee than the Gold Delta Amex, but its perks make it easy to recoup that. The card comes with a $100 annual airline fee credit that you can use toward incidental airline fees such as baggage fees, as well a $120 annual dining credit (allotted in $10 increments each month) that can be used at various dining partners. Maxing out both credits brings your out-of-pocket cost down to $30 a year. On the earning side, the Amex Gold earns 3x points on all flights purchased directly from the airline and spending bonus categories of 4x points at US restaurants and supermarkets (on the first $25,000 spent each year at supermarkets).

Photo by The Points Guy.

Bottom Line

Although it might not have the most compelling earning rates, the Gold Delta Amex can still be worth picking up for its large welcome bonus and money-saving perks. As long as you check a bag for two round-trips a year, you’re going to come out ahead with this card.

We don’t know what bonus will replace the current elevated offer when it ends on Apr. 3, so if you’re considering applying, you’ll want to do so sooner rather than later. Remember, the annual fee is waived for the first year, so you can get the bonus and essentially test-drive the card to see how much you utilize its perks before having to fork over $95.

Know before you go.

I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletter and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email.
See PRIVACY POLICY.

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

If you are a Delta flyer who is looking to bank some extra miles this card is a great addition for your wallet. While you'll earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else, you'll also have access to other perks like priority boarding, a first bag checked free and discounted Delta Sky Club access.

Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.

Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases.

Check your first bag free on Delta flights - that's a savings of up to $240 per round trip for a family of four.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Advertiser Disclosure

The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

The TPG Newsletter

BE A SMARTER TRAVELER: Get points strategies, customized alerts + more

Please enter a valid email address

Please check mailing preferences

I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletter and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email.
See PRIVACY POLICY.

The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.